Guests from US, China to visit to observe Indra Jatra

Guests from the United States of America and China will visit Nepal to observe the Indra Jatra cultural festival in the Kathmandu Valley, said the Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Indra Jatra is one of the biggest festivals observed in the Kathmandu Valley and is long connected with the identity of the Valley.

The KMC informed about this at a press conference today. The total 22 guests from both the countries will visit to participate in the festival, said the metropolis spokesperson Nabin Manandhar. Guests from Fredericksburg City of the US, and Nanjing, Chengdu and Zhengzhou cities of China will come to participate in the event, he added.

With the aim of promoting the dignity of Indra Jatra at the international level, the KMC since 2076 has been inviting guests from the municipalities in foreign countries with which sister relations have been established. Preparations are underway for those guests to visit and observe the heritages in the Hanuman Durbar Square, Handigaun, Swayambhu and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, he said. All guests will arrive on coming Tuesday, he added.

On the first day of the Jatra, the participants will encircle the city of Kantipuri to pray for the eternal peace of the departed souls. September 28 is the main day of the festival this year. The management has increased special security for that day in view of more crowd. On that day, 180 volunteers will be mobilised, and Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and the metropolis police will provide special security.

Keeping in view of the risk of a fire that may take place during the festival, a fire engine has also been arranged. On Nanicha Ya:, the last day of the festival on 2 October, vehicles will be barred in the Hanuman Dhoka premises, Pyaphal, Naradevi, Kilagh:, Bhedasingh, Bandh (Indra Chowk) and Makhan area.

According to the programme schedule, erecting a lingo (a wooden pole) will take place on 26 September at 10:37 am. Similarly, on 27 September, the Rathyatra (chariot pulling procession) will take place after worshipping living goddess Kumari, Ganesh and Bhairav. Similarly, on October 2, the last day of the Jatra, the lingo will be made to fall at 8:37 pm.

There is a tradition that the Head of State visit and worship the living goddess Kumari, Ganesh and Bhairav during the Jatra. It is believed that the practice of Jatra started during the reign of King Jaya Prakash Malla.

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